BARRON/CHETEK YOUTH HOCKEY POLICIES

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1 A. Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey Guiding Philosophy. The policies and philosophy of Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey (BCYH) will be developed with guidance from our membership. These policies are created for their benefit. Members rely on the BCYH Board to implement their philosophy through the Association's coaches. Any coach who willfully and repeatedly disregards the policies, which enforce this philosophy, is to be relieved of his/her coaching duties by the Board. The purpose of BCYH competition will be to have FUN; improve skills, learn sportsmanship and respect for one's opponent; develop a sense of responsibility and self discipline; develop team loyalty and comradeship; learn to play within the rules which govern BCYH and to accept the decisions of authorized officials or to seek interpretation or change through proper channels, and develop sound minds and bodies. BCYH realizes that hockey involves a significant commitment of each family's time and money. The Association expects each family to contribute equally and therefore they should expect their child to receive an equal OPPORTUNITY in return. However, BCYH also realizes that not all players in the Association have the same investment in hockey. Even though each player at a given level is subject to the same Association fees significant time, money, and EFFORT may be expended outside of the BCYH Program for hockey (i.e. hockey clinics, individual practice, etc.). Even given equal instruction, players will improve at their own pace and have different levels of ability and skill. It must be remembered that BCYH provides an EQUAL OPPORTUNITY, but it is the RESPONSIBILITY of each PLAYER to make the most of that opportunity. B. Number of Players on Team Rosters. The following will constitute the minimum number of players required to play a game at each level: 1. Mini-Mites (U6)... 7 skaters (plus goalie if required). 2. Mites (U8)... 7 skaters plus goalie. 3. Squirts (U10)... 9 skaters plus goalie. 4. PeeWees (U12) skaters plus goalie. 5. Bantams (U14) skaters plus goalie 6. Girls* (high school) skaters plus goalie. * Most seasons, the Association doesn't have enough girls to field a high school team. In situations where the minimum number of players is not available from the regular team roster or through lower level substitute players, the game may be played only with the consent of players' parents. Qualified substitute players should be requested to maintain minimum player numbers to avoid unnecessary cancellations. The coach of a team requesting a player will allow the coach providing the substitute player, to select such player based on ability. The substitute player's parent is to be notified by the player's coach and will have final approval. Prior approval is required from the substitute player's coach and parent for each game a player substitutes. In order to increase playing time per player, if the number of registered players exceed 22 at any one level, that level is to be split into two teams based on ability for Squirt levels and above unless the Association is unable to find a qualified coach. For teams below the Squirt level, BCYH will attempt to split the talent evenly between teams. If the team is not divided into two teams, then players will be given the opportunity to move up a level permanently based on ability if the numbers at the next level permit. Players with ability will be allowed to move up a level permanently if the numbers at both levels permit but only with Board approval and after a "move-up application" has been submitted. C. Playing Time. BCYH's policy will be that ALL players on the team are to play in every game subject to exceptions to be communicated to parents and players by the coach. It is up to each coach to develop a rotation for each game based upon the number of players available. The coach shall attempt to follow this rotation throughout the game, except for special circumstances to be determined by each coach, such as: switching players between lines, injury, playing shorthanded, powerplays, the final minutes of a period in a close game, discipline problems, etc. It is very important to communicate to parents and players under what circumstances changes in the normal rotations will take place. Remember, coaches are responsible to the Board

2 and the members (parents) they serve. All players are to be given EQUAL OPPORTUNITY by the coach to develop playing skills through instruction and drills. However, equal opportunity will not necessarily mean equal playing time. Playing time is earned, not given! Each player on any given team has different (unequal) abilities, but each is to be given the same opportunity to improve and earn more playing time. Each player is a part of the TEAM and will be given a role to play in each game so that they have the opportunity to succeed and contribute to the final outcome. The coach will decide where each skater will play and what game strategy is best for the team to succeed. However, if players prefer to play a position other than the one they play in games, they are to be given the opportunity to try other positions during practice sessions. A substitute or SWING player is not to play at the expense of regular roster players. Regular roster players' playing time will take precedence over a substitute/swing player. Substitute players should contribute, but their playing time should not exceed that of a regular roster player playing a similar position. D. Scheduling of Tournaments & Games. BCYH provides funds for State Tournament and "playdown" entry fees for Squirt levels and above, as well as $500 toward an additional tournament for all levels. An additional amount up to $500 will be awarded for tournament entry fees to teams that host a home tournament. In addition, BCYH understands that in order to maintain cooperation and have a productive/organized season, parents need to be consulted when they will be expected to spend additional amounts of their own time and money. For these reasons, the preseason parents/coaches meeting will be used to discuss tournaments to be entered, state playoffs, and their associated costs. These meetings can determine if there will be sufficient participation to enter a tournament and also whether there is interest to enter tournaments not funded by BCYH. Games should be scheduled for weekends to prevent the inconvenience of lost practice time to another BCYH team (see Section I. below). In addition, the scheduling of regular season games before 11:30 a.m. on Sundays is not encouraged, so as to avoid conflicts with church activities. E. Communication Between Coaches and Parents/Players. BCYH's desire is to have an informed membership and requires its philosophy and policies to be communicated to parents and players in writing at fall sign-up and again at each team's preseason orientation meeting. Additional team meetings may be required during the season to resolve issues as they develop. Also parents must Observe a Cooling Off Period: Wait to talk to the coach about something you are upset about for at least 24 hours. Emotions can get so hot, that it s often better and more productive to wait a day before contacting the coach. This also gives you time to consider exactly what to say to the coach, and how to say it. F. Swing Players (player playing at two different levels during the season) and Permanent Transfer Players. All substitutions of players between levels are intended to be temporary in nature unless players are allowed to move up permanently to meet minimum roster requirements or for other reasons as determined by the BCYH Board during the hockey season. Since the Association cannot force a player to move up a level, there may be times a player may be allowed to SWING (play at two levels) but only with Board approval. However, a qualified player who is willing to permanently transfer is to be selected to move up over a player only willing to swing. Swing player and permanent transfer player selection will be based on skills and ability, unless an exception is made by the Board. Ability is to be determined by an objective drills tryout for all interested players, supervised by a coach at each level the player will be expected to play. All SWING and permanent transfer players will require BCYH Board approval. G. Players, Coaches & Parents Rules of Conduct and Discipline. PURPOSE These rules are intended to guide the conduct of players, coaches, and parents while participating in BCYH

3 events, including but not limited to, practices, games, tournaments, travel and lodging as a part of a team. Profanity and excessive aggressive behavior towards teammates, opponents, or other parents is not to be taken lightly and is a reflection not only on the player, coach, or parent, but also on the team and our association and will not be tolerated. Players Rules of Conduct 1. Players shall not use alcohol, tobacco or any other non-prescribed/illegal controlled substances. 2. Players will not use profane language, racial slurs, obscene gestures or other acts of unacceptable behavior. 3. Players must adhere to the team rules. 4. Players must adhere to individual arena rules. 5. Players must not argue with an official's decisions; they will enforce the zero-tolerance policy. Coaches Rules of Conduct Coaches are to be held to the highest standard as they are the team's primary role model and each team will be a reflection of their leadership. 1. Coaches shall abide by the policies and philosophy of BCYH. 2. Coaches shall not use alcohol or tobacco during practices and games or any other non-prescribed/ illegal controlled substances. 3. Coaches shall not use profane language, racial slurs, obscene gestures or other acts of unacceptable behavior. Abuse of players will not be tolerated. 4. Coaches shall confine communication to the officials and their own players during games. Derogatory remarks made toward officials or an opponent's coaches and players are considered unacceptable. 5. Coaches must adhere to individual arena rules. 6. Coaches must not argue with an official's decisions; they will enforce the zero-tolerance policy. Parents Rules of Conduct 1. Practice and promote good sportsmanship. 2. Support decisions of coaches and officials. If you have a constructive comment or suggestion, make it in private. If it isn't constructive, keep it to yourself. 3. Parents shall not use degrading or demoralizing language toward players, officials, coaches, other parents, or those from other associations. 4. Know the team schedule and see that your child attends all scheduled practices and games or notifies the coach that they cannot attend. Make every effort to be on time to all team functions. 5. Be sure the coach is aware of any physical limitations or special needs of your child. 6. Should you have any questions or concerns during the season, please contact your child's coach. Disciplinary Policy Infractions to " Players Rules of Conduct" will be handled as follows: 1. The first route in disciplining a player should be discussion with the parents to see if they can resolve the problem. However, it should also be understood that instances may arise where disciplinary action needs to be taken before the

4 convenience of any discussion with parents has taken place. If the issue is not resolved by discussion with the parents, formal disciplinary action will be taken. 2. Minor violations will result in restricted playing time at the coach's discretion. 3. Profanity will first be dealt with by verbal warning. Second and subsequent profanity offenses will require restricted playing time. 4. Any aggressive behavior with intent to injure either a teammate or an opponent on or off the ice will result in a minimum one game suspension. A second offense will result in suspension of the player from all BCYH activities until ruled on by the "Conduct/Grievance Committee" for further disciplinary action. 5. The coach will have the discretion (except as noted above) to discipline in an appropriate manner and is expected to apply discipline in a fair and consistent manner. 6. Major or continued violations will result in a meeting between coach, parents, and a BCYH board representative to develop a correction plan. 7. Ongoing violations or failure of the player to meet the plan conditions may result in player suspension by the BCYH board for the balance of the season. 8. School grades obtained by BCYH skaters will not influence their ability to participate in BCYH programs. Infractions to "Coaches Rules of Conduct" will be handled as follows: 1. Minor violations brought to any board member's attention will result in a verbal warning from the BCYH Board President. Second and subsequent violations will result in written warnings. Repeat violations may result in termination of coaching duties after a review by the "Conduct/Grievance Committee". 2. More serious violations as determined by the BCYH Board President will go directly to the "Conduct/Grievance Committee" for a ruling. Possible disciplinary actions include, but are not limited to, a written warning, temporary suspension from coaching, or termination of coaching duties. Infractions to " Parents Rules of Conduct" will be handled as follows: 1. Minor violations brought to any board member's attention will result in a verbal warning from the BCYH Board President. Second and subsequent violations will result in written warnings. 2. Repetitive minor violations, or more serious violations as determined by the BCYH Board President will go directly to the "Conduct/Grievance Committee" for a ruling. H. Member/Player/Coaches Conduct/Grievance Committee. BCYH will create a Conduct/Grievance Committee for the benefit of all members to handle infractions and disputes or make interpretations of policy that cannot be resolved between parents, players and coaches. The Conduct/Grievance Committee will review all game misconducts, match penalties, and individual player behavior issues and determine if additional disciplinary action is required. The Conduct/Grievance Committee will consist of the Board President, one parent, and the head of the coaches' committee and should be capable of meeting on short notice. Alternate committee members will be appointed to maintain neutrality in making rulings involving a committee member. The Committee's parent representative and any alternates required due to unavailability or conflict of interest will be appointed as needed by the Board President. Any concerns regarding enforcement or interpretation of BCYH policies should first be communicated directly by the parent to the coach involved. If the issue cannot be resolved directly, the Conduct/Grievance Committee is to be contacted to make a ruling. The Conduct/Grievance Committee will meet within a week of being notified of any issue.

5 Any Conduct/Grievance Committee ruling may be appealed to the BCYH Board for a final ruling at the Board's next regular meeting. Any Conduct/Grievance Committee ruling not appealed before the next regular board meeting will be considered resolved. I. Scheduling Games vs. Practice. It is the intent of BCYH that all teams share as equally as possible in the inconvenience of lost practice time created from scheduling conflicts between BCYH games and practices. If for any reason a scheduled game interferes with a scheduled practice, the game will take precedence under the following conditions: 1. Any team losing practice time due to a game being scheduled at the same time will be waived from losing future practice time until all other teams have lost a practice, or; 2. Team will be reimbursed with a practice from the playing team within a week of the game. 3. It will be up to the coach who lost the practice to choose one of the above options. Reimbursement of lost practice time or waiver from future loss of practice time is to be agreed to before the game is played.

6 J. Service Hours - $300 Refundable Fee Per Family ($150 for Mite and Mini Mite) Because the association has experienced difficulties in the past with work hour and fundraiser requirements, the policy of assessing a refundable work hour fee was adopted at the Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey annual meeting held on April 4, Parents currently must submit a $ check at the time of registration to be applied toward service hours. IF THE REQUIRED FUNDRAISERS & PARENT/GUARDIAN SERVICE HOURS ARE COMPLETED BY THE END OF MARCH, THE CHECK WILL NOT BE CASHED AND THE CHECK WILL BE RETURNED AT THE ANNUAL MEETING IN APRIL. Checks may be cashed if the full 25 hours have not been worked or the required fundraisers completed and refund checks will be issued after a reduction for fundraiser requirements not met and $10/hour for work hours not completed. First year hockey families regardless of skating level are required to work a minimum of five hours. Work hours are a great way to meet other hockey families and get to know how our arena operates, especially the concession stand. First year families do not need to submit a work hour check. Mini Mite (U6) Mite (U8) Squirt (U10) PeeWee (U12) Girls Bantams (U14) Players Hours of Service Parents or Guardians Hours of Service Work or $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 $300 Pay Fee CONCESSIONS: Families in the Squirt level and above are required to serve at least ten of their work hours in the concession stand. Families in Mites and Mini-Mites (U6 and U8) must serve at least five of their hours in the concession stand. This fundraiser is important as it helps cover our cost of referees. Sign-ups will be available. Coaching: If a family member serves as a coach, the family will be credited with half their required work hours. However, the concession stand requirement must still be filled. All service hour requirements for each season start just after the prior season's Annual Meeting. Prestigious Player Award: Players hours of service are applied toward the "Prestigious Player Award." Work slips indicating what was done and the time spent must be signed by a coach or parent that observed the work being performed. Work slips can be deposited into the work hour box at the rink. In addition to work hours, players must attend a minimum percentage of practices and games to qualify for the award. The percentages are currently 85% for players below the Squirt level and 90% Squirt level and above. K. Fundraising Each family is responsible for raising $500 for the Association every season, plus $200 for every additional player (maximum $900). Fundraising credit begins to accumulate after the Association s Annual Meeting in April and concludes before the following year's Annual Meeting. Fundraising credit can be obtained through various Board approved activities, including (but not limited to) wreath sales, raffle ticket sales, advertising sign sales and purchasing Kwik Trip cards. Generally, fundraising credit will be calculated on a percentage basis set by the Board. For example, the Board could set a percentage of 50 for a raffle. In that case, if a family sold $100 in raffle tickets, they'd be credited for $50 in fundraising. Families have the option of a direct buyout of fundraising obligations. Other families will submit a check for half of the amount of their fundraising obligation to the Association during preseason team meetings. Players will not be allowed to participate in on-ice activities until both fundraising and work hour checks are submitted, they are registered with both our Association and through USA Hockey, and they and their parent(s)/guardian(s) have signed off on the BCYHA Youth Hockey Policies. Fundraising and work hour checks should be postdated for the end of the season, generally April 1. First year families are not required to fundraise but are encouraged to participate. Contacts made by selling wreaths, etc., will be very useful in subsequent seasons.

7 I have reviewed the Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey Association Policies with my son(s) and/or daughter(s) and agree to abide by these policies as set forth by the Barron/Chetek Youth Hockey Association. Player Name(s) - Please Print Player(s) Signature Parent Signature Date Work Hours Check Preseason Checklist Fundraising Check (or 100% buyout) Signed copy of this form Registered with BCYHA Registered with USA Hockey